Baobab Deli

Baobab Deli on Fore Street is run by Eran Hovav, a chef originally from Israel with nearly thirty years in kitchens across the Middle East and London before he settled in Devon. He first opened a cafe in Crediton in 2016, and in London had been headhunted to help launch a hummus-focused restaurant chain and catered events attended by the likes of Queen drummer Roger Taylor - a long way from a deli on an Exeter side street, but the same instinct for flavour carries through.

The deli's name comes from the baobab tree, chosen for what it represents - sustainability and longevity - and the food follows that lead: salads, sauces, cakes and mains made fresh with no chemicals or additives, gently pasteurised rather than over-processed. Around 85% of what's cooked comes from Eran's own vegetables or local growers. Dietary needs and allergies get taken seriously too, shaped in part by his own son's health challenges, and he's spoken about wanting to eventually use the business to fund meals for families who need them.